Kristian Garic

Kristian Quick Hits: No need for rah rah speeches this week

by Kristian Garic, kristian@wwl.com,posted Dec 6 2013 7:27AM

Title Shot:

No we're not talking Super Bowl titles, or heavy weight titles, but the NFC South crown is on the line Sunday when the 9 and 3 Saints host the likewise 9 and 3 Carolina Panthers. "I think we all know what's at stake here. This is all for the division title," said quarterback Drew Brees. Not to mention the winner of the NFC south will likely end up with the #2 seed in the NFC playoff picture. The Saints have owned the primetime stage at home with Sean Payton on the sidelines. They have 14 straight victories at the Superdome on the big stage.

Stats that matter:

I'm not a huge fan of some statistics. I think they can be manipulated to tell one side of the story or the other, good or bad. Some stats can be misleading in the overall effectiveness of a team. With that said, keep an eye on the time of possession (TOP) in this game. The Saints are right behind the Carolina Panthers in TOP this season. The Panthers come in averaging over 33 minutes in time of possession, the Saints just over 32 minutes per game. Converting third downs will be another key to this. The Saints have struggled to string together some drives recently. New Orleans has scored 1 touchdown in their last 19 possessions.

Trivia Question:

Who has the longest rushing TD of the season for the Saints? How long was it? Pierre Thomas? Darren Sproles? Wrong! Drew Brees has it with a 7 yard keeper against Arizona in week 3. The Saints have seven games this season without a rushing TD. That is eye-popping. Please don't take this as an invitation to blame it on Mark Ingram. That's not all on him.

The first step into shutting down the saints offense is to make them pass the ball.

12/06/2013 12:17PM

Step two

The second step is to constantly mix up pressure.

12/06/2013 12:19PM

Step three

Take away their first, second and check down options.

12/06/2013 12:21PM

Step four

Hands and heads up to contest all passes.

12/06/2013 12:25PM

Step five

Watch out for third down trap.
Screens, delays and misdirection plays.

12/06/2013 3:08PM

I would like to see some not in our house signs directed at the officiating.

I would like the fans to display some "not in our house" signs directed at the officiating for the home game against the Panthers. Fans should be on their best behavior, but signs and booing the refs is very encouraged. When your offense gets called for holding, you want the refs to be fair calling it on both teams for the game.

12/06/2013 5:36PM

Rod Guidry in Sacramento

Let me give you an anti-Saints definition: One who sits on an extremely weak seat in an out-house and with a big smile on his/her face anxiously awaits the results.